Be aware, prostate cancer survivor urges young men
Published:Tuesday | February 2, 2021 | 12:14 AMNadine Wilson-Harris/Staff Reporter
Quinton Yearde had to adjust his normal way of life long before COVID-19 because of a prostate cancer diagnosis that required surgery, radiation and a lot of family support.
The 50-year-old lecturer had always been aware of his risk since his father was diagnosed with the same type of cancer several years ago.
Upon turning 40, he made sure to do his annual rectal examination and when his prostate-specific antigen started to fluctuate, he decided to visit his oncologist.
A biopsy confirmed that he had prostate cancer and further checks revealed that it was at stage two and had spread from the prostate to other areas.
Instead of using medicine, he decided to go organic, and then came his first major adjustment; the married father of one changed to a predominantly plant-based diet.
“I did a lot of changes to my diet and lost about a couple sizes and I have kind of maintained the weight since, so nutrition is pretty important,” he said.
WATCH: Quinton's prostate cancer journey
Things improved for a while with the changes, but then a few months after, he was forced to consider surgery as the success was short-lived.
Yearde, who had done surgery to remove a brain tumour when he was 14, was not opposed to having his prostate and the surrounding area removed and had this done in June 2019.
“You hear crazy stories about what happens post-prostate cancer treatment. It is an adjustment,” said Yearde.
“Every time I pee, I thank God, because I have had [instances] where I couldn’t pee, and that is a serious thing. You take it as trivial – even something as simple as walking,” he said.
Urinary problems are among the issues some prostate cancer patients face. They sometimes experience issues such as the incomplete emptying of the bladder, pain or a weak urine stream.
“When I would go to radiation, I would strike up friendships with the men who were there, and we would start sharing our experience and that was very helpful,” Yearde said.
His own father offered guidance, too, and given his diagnosis, Yearde has been very upfront with his now eight-year-old son and the young men he teaches at the Portmore Community College.
Prostate cancer affects more Jamaicans than any other type of cancer. In 2019, there were 1,309 new prostate cancer cases.
“I said, ‘Listen, you are young men now, but start being aware of your health’,” he said.
“I was going to the doctor as a part of early detection, especially because my dad had it and I am saying to persons that it is a necessary part of it. It is like women have to go for their yearly check-ups,” he advised, ahead of Thursday’s observance of World Cancer Day..
Yearde completed his radiation treatment in March, just before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Jamaica.